Every Thursday, Kevin Cusick makes his predictions against the latest Las Vegas point spread, the way God intended …

Packers at Vikings (+3½):

Some Vikings became a viral sensation Monday night when they celebrated Kyle Rudolph’s touchdown catch with an end zone version of the child’s game Duck Duck Goose. Minnesota players apparently got the idea for the stunt in the first half watching the wounded duck they had playing at quarterback.Pick: Packers by 7

(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Lions at Saints (-5):

New Orleans gave up on its five-week Adrian Peterson experiment and traded the disgruntled running back to the rushing-poor Arizona Cardinals. The deal came as a surprise to no one as it’s been clear for several years now that AP is no Saint.Pick: Lions by 3

(AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)

49ers at Redskins (-10):

Former San Francisco QB Colin Kaepernick denied a report by CBS’ Jason La Canfora that claimed No. 7 would promise to stand for the national anthem if hired by another NFL team. It was the biggest story broken by La Confora since he moved from the Fantasy Football beat to the Football Fantasies beat.Pick: Redskins by 7

(AP Photo/Mike McCarn)

Colts at Titans (-3½):

Vice President Mike Pence caused a huge stir last Sunday when he immediately left the Colts-49ers game after a number of players took a knee during the national anthem. His supporters applauded the move, while critics howled, making it perhaps the first time in American history that anyone gave a rip what the vice president was doing.Pick: Titans by 7

(Sam Riche/TNS)

Dolphins at Falcons (-11½):

Miami offensive line coach Chris Foerster quickly resigned after the posting of a video that showed his snorting white powder through a rolled-up 20 dollar bill. It was a shocking turn of events in South Florida as it is usually only the Dolphins’ players who get high.Pick: Falcons by 8

(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

Buccaneers at Cardinals (+2½):

The fashion-challenged Buccaneers broke out their candy apple red uniforms for last week’s Color Rush game against New England. While awfully hard to look at for an entire game, the new look will be a huge help for Jameis Winston the next time he wants to sneak out of the grocery story with some steamed lobster.Pick: Cardinals by 3

(AP Photo/John Raoux)

Giants at Broncos (-12):

Odell Beckham’s season is over after he suffered a broken ankle during the winless Giants’ latest loss Sunday. The injury is so severe that Beckham had surgery on Monday, and it might be midsummer before he’ll again be able to safely mimic a urinating dog.Pick: Broncos by 7

(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

Patriots at Jets (+9½):

The lowly Jets, who came into the season facing the prospect of an 0-16 campaign, are currently tied for the lead with the Patriots and Bills in the mediocre AFC East. Fans across America are shocked, as they haven’t seen such lightweights rise to the top like that since the 2016 presidential campaign.Pick: Patriots by 11

(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

Browns at Texans (-10):

Texans defensive MVP J.J. Watt broke down in tears on the field last Sunday as he was helped off with a season-ending broken leg, compounding what has already been a hard year for Houston fans. It was a stark reminder that there is, in fact, crying in football, and that it’s not limited to lifelong Browns fans.Pick: Texans by 17

(AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Steelers at Chiefs (-4):

Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger blamed only himself for his five interceptions last week, admitting “maybe I just don’t have it anymore.” Longtime observers of the Steelers’ quarterback said they had never seen him be so wildly inaccurate since the last time he gave a statement to police.Pick: Chiefs by 7

(AP Photo/Fred Vuich)

Rams at Jaguars (-2½):

Surprising Jacksonville took advantage of Roethlisberger’s poor play, returning two of the interceptions for touchdowns. The Jaguars’ defensive backs have had a lot of practice facing off against horrible quarterbacking as they get to work out against Blake Bortles almost every day.Pick: Jaguars by 4

(Associated Press photo)

Eagles at Panthers (-3):

Carolina quarterback Cam Newton apologized for his “extremely unacceptable” belittling of a female sports reporter last week. The former NFL MVP vowed to change his ways in the hope that, someday far into the future, he may be able to get another yogurt commercial.Pick: Eagles by 3

(Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer/TNS)

OTHER GAMES

Chargers at Raiders (-3):Pick: Raiders by 7

Bears at Ravens (-6½):Pick: Ravens by 10

(AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Byes: Bills, Bengals, Cowboys, Seahawks

(AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)

EDITOR’S NOTE

The Loop is on his annual football/baseball playoff road trip, this time to the nation’s capital. He will return Tuesday with the latest edition of the Super Bowl LII Countdown.

Mr. Cusick, as he is called by his friends, has been a Pioneer Press staffer since latter days of Reagan administration (March 1987). Born on the mean streets of Brooklyn, raised on the mean streets of the Iron Range, educated on the mean streets of Northwestern's campus and now living on the mean streets of Woodbury. Responsible for nearly all Loop commentary and NFL picks in the Pioneer Press since 2003. One-time sports radio fantasy football guru. Occasional sidekick on Bob Sansevere's award-winning podcast. Alumnus of Little Flower School (East Flatbush, NY), Roosevelt High School (Virginia, MN), Huntington (WV) Herald-Dispatch and Greenville (SC) News. Proud member of the Bald Brotherhood.

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